Adjustable fixture for applying transformer spacers

ABSTRACT

Fixture apparatus for use in applying vertical transformer spacers to a flat surface. The fixture includes a frame and a plurality of movable bars. Slots on the frame guide the movable bars while the fixture is being adjusted. A scissor-like linkage interconnects the movable bars so that all adjacent movable bars have the same separation distance. The transformer spacers are placed into channels in the movable bars with adhesive applied to their exposed surfaces. The flat surface is then placed over the fixture and the spacers.

United States Patent [191 Lucas l Jul 3,1973

ADJUSTABLE FIXTURE FOR APPLYING TRANSFORMER SPACERS [75] Inventor: David N. Lucas, Masury, Ohio [73 Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

- Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: July 29, 1971 21 App]. No.1 167,138

[52] -U.S. Cl. 29/203 P [51] Int. Cl. H05k 13/00 [58] Field of Search 29/203 P, 203 J, 29/203 R, 203 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,835,962 5/1958 Tally et al. 29/203 P Primary ExaminerThomas H. Eager Attorney- A. T. Stratton and F. E. Browder 1 ABSTRACT Fixture apparatus for use in applying vertical transformer spacers to a flat surface. The fixture includes a frame and a plurality of movable bars. Slots on the frame guide the movable bars while the fixture is being adjusted. A scissor-like linkage interconnects the movable bars so that all adjacent movable bars have the same separation distance. The transformer spacers are placed into channels in the movable bars with adhesive applied to their exposed surfaces. The flat surface is then placed over the fixture and the spacers.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJUL 3 I975 SHEET 2 0? 2 INVENTOR David N. Lucas BY f " ATTORNEY ADJUSTABLE FIXTURE FOR APPLYING TRANSFORMER SPACERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates, in general to transformer insulation structures and, more specifically, to apparatus for applying vertical transformer spacers to a flat surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art Spacers which are made from pressboard are used at various locations in power transformer structures for insulation purposes and to provide channels in which the cooling oil may flow. Vertical spacers are used adjacent to the winding cylinder on which the coil is wound to provide spacing between the winding cylinder and the starting turn of the coil. Vertical spacers are also used between coil sections of the transformer. The spacers are installed by wrapping a flat sheet, to

Y which the spacers are attached, around the innermost coil section.

Vertical spacers are usually long pieces of substantially flat pressboard with a thickness of less than one inch. These spacers are positioned along the winding cylinder or coil section in a longitudinal direction, that is, the longest dimension of the spacer is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the winding cylinder or the axial direction of the coil section. The vertical spacers are radially spaced with the number of spacers dependent upon the size and type of the winding cylinder or coil section. a

A fixture may be used to position the spacers in the proper location for application to the flat sheet. However, since different winding cylinder and coil section sizes and types are used, separate fixtures are required for each application which uses a different number of spacers.

It is desirable, and it is an object of this invention, to

provide a vertical spacer application fixture which may be used, with proper adjustments, for different spacer requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A universal fixture is disclosed which may be adjusted so that it can be used for all transformer spacer separation requirements. The fixture includes a rectangular frame which has slots in two parallel members of the frame. These slots guide a plurality of parallel movable bars so that they may be moved with respect to. each other while retaining their parallel relationship. The movable bars each contain a channel with dimen- FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view of a fixture constructed according to one embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partial bottom view of a fixture constructed according to another embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Throughout the following description similar reference characters refer to similar members in all Figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown a fixture for applying transformer spacers constructed according to this invention. The fixture includes a frame which comprises the guides 10 and 12, the bar 14, and the stationary bar 16. The guides and the bars are rigidly attached to each other to define a rigid frame having a substantially square or rectangular shape. The stationary bar 16 contains a slot or channel 18 whichextends between the ends of the stationary bar 16. The channel 18 has dimensions which are suitable for allowing a vertical spacer to be placed therein.

The movable bars 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 each have channels which'are similar to the channel 18 in the stationary bar 16. The movable bars include a follower means, such as pins or rollers, which are attached near the ends and on the bottom side of the movable bars. The follower means protrude into the slots 32 and 34 in the guides 10 and 12, respectively, and permit the movable bars to slide along the guides while remaining substantially parallel to each other. Instead of using slots and followers, it is within the contemplation of this invention that another type of guiding means may be used. For example, a track may be mounted on the guides 10 and 12 which engages with slots on the movable bars.

The movable bars 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 and the stationary bar 16 are all mechanically interconnected by the linkages 36 and 38. The linkages 36 and 38 have joints which permit pivoting of the linkage arms with a scissorlike action. Since each of the movable bars are attached to pivot points on the linkages, the movable bars move together with the linkages. The scissorlike action of the linkages automatically keeps the distances sions suitable for receiving a transformer spacer. The

movable bars .are mechanically interconnected by a scissorlike linkage having crossing parts or motion involving crossing parts, which separates all of the movable bars equally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS spacer separation distance requirements. In FIG. 2,

vertical spacers 41 are placed in the bar channels with a suitable adhesive 43 applied to the exposed sides of the vertical spacers. The flat sheet 45 is placed on top I of the fixture and in contact with the vertical spacers.

f The flat sheet 45 is illustrated in FIG. 4 with one end partially folded back to illustrate the position of the vertical spacers. The assembly is then put into a press which creates pressure betweenthe flat sheet 45 and the vertical spacers 41. After the adhesive has cured, the assembly is removed from the press and the sheet is lifted from the fixture with the spacers attached thereto. Although the fixture illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used for applying up to seven vertical spacers tion of less than seven spacers per operation is desired.

It is necessary to slide only one of the bars to change the vertical spacer separation distance. This gives the proper separation, sincethe scissorlike action of the linkages automatically establishes the same separation distance for all of, the bars. Although illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with two scissorlike linkages, it is a contemplated modification of this invention that other linkage arrangements may be used. For example, a single scissorlike linkage attached to the bars, at substantially the middle of the bars, may be used.

The linkage connection arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3, which is a partial view of a movable bar taken from the bottom side of the fixture. The linkage arms 40 and 42 are attached to each other with a pivot joint 44. The pivot joint 44 may be provided by a pin 46 which extends through the arms 40 and 42. With this arrangement, the pin may be attached to the movable bar 24. The other movable bars may be connected with a similar arrangement.

A modification of the linkage connection arrangements shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is shown in FIG. 4. The linkage arms 48 and 50 are attached to each other by the pin 52. The linkage arms 54 and 56 are attached to each other by the pin 58. The pins 52 and 58 extend into the groove 60 of the movable bar 62. This permits changing of the separation distance of the linkage joints 64 and 66 when the scissorlike linkage is extended or contracted.

The fixture may be constructed of any suitable material which will give the required structural characteristics within the heat range it will be subjected to. Aluminum is particularly useful due to its ability to provide a lightweight fixture. Various modifications to the linkage joints and guide pins may be made toreduce friction and other characteristics without departing from the scope of the invention.

The fixture disclosed herein provides a convenient and universal means for applying uniformly spaced vertical transformer spacers, and like objects, to a flat surface, regardless of the separation distance required between the spacers. Since numerous changes may be made in the above described apparatus and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is intended that all of the matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim as my invention:

l. A fixture for applying vertical transformer spacers and like objects to a substantially flat surface, said fixture comprising a frame member, a plurality of movable bars, said movable bars each having means thereon for holding a vertical transformer spacer, said movable bars being mechanically interconnected by a linkage of pivotable arms, said linkage being operable with a scissorlike action to permit the changing of the spacing between adjacent movable bars uniformly so that equal spacing is maintained between each pair of adjacent movable bars.

2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the movable bar means for holding the vertical transformer spacers comprises channels into which the spacers may be placed.

3. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the frame member includes a guide which maintains the movable arms in parallel relationship with each other. 

1. A fixture for applying vertical transformer spacers and like objects to a substantially flat surface, said fixture comprising a frame member, a plurality of movable bars, said movable bars each having means thereon for holding a vertical transformer spacer, said movable bars being mechanically interconnected by a linkage of pivotable arms, said linkage being operable with a scissorlike action to permit the changing of the spacing between adjacent movable bars uniformly so that equal spacing is maintained between each pair of adjacent movable bars.
 2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the movable bar means for holding the vertical transformer spacers comprises channels into which the spacers may be placed.
 3. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the frame member includes a guide which maintains the movable arms in parallel relationship with each other. 